I'm not willing to label this as "debate" but I won't be surprised if people have very passionate feelings on the subject.

How do you all feel about cat crating?

Sterling is getting a little bit out of hand at times now that he is more comfortable at home again. He gets quite violent with the other cat and at night he wanders the house just YELLING AND YELLING. It's insanely disruptive when trying to sleep. Also, he will pee on things if everyone is in bed (thus ignoring his yowling) to show his displeasure at being inside. We can put him in a room, the laundry room or the bathroom, but if he is confined he pees all over whatever room he is in. Last night, while lying awake listening to him wail, I thought "Too bad I can't crate him like I would Shelby". And then I thought.... or can I? I have Shelby's puppy crate, which would be quite large for him, and I could put a blankie in there. I suspect he won't pee in there, for the same reason a dog wouldn't pee in their crate I guess, cause then he would have to lay in it.

Is there any reason I can't "put him to bed" at night? He wouldn't be in there for more than 8 hours at a time, and he doesn't seem to ever have a problem during the day time. I think my lady cat would appreciate the break from him at night as well.

Also, I'm having a cat "tree" custom made for him and it's going to have activity pieces on it, so maybe that will help his energy. And I do play string or laser with him, trying to keep him occupied.

When my cat Elvira started peeing everywhere and we couldn't figure out why I decided to try a giant cat cage. I bought a 1ft2xft6 condo and she's been happy as a clam in there. She has to stay in there all the time and she's definitely more happy than before we put her in there. I can only guess she was getting picked on by the other cats. She grooms herself now and likes to be petted and seems to enjoy her little sanctuary.

~Jeanine

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

I almost crated my cat Shadow. He was peeing on clothes, in my duffel bags and finally on my bed! After the bed incident, I was furious. I was reluctant, but I had a big huge cat crate all picked out. I would have put him in there while I was at work. But luckily he never did it again after the bed incident.

I'm not opposed to it if it means being able to happily keep a cat that you otherwise would not be able to.

Oh, I would have choaked Bo a long time ago, if I didn't buy him a cat condo!!!!

I got it to keep him from being eaten by the dogs, then when he got a UTI, I kept him in it until it cleared up.Now it is in a spare room with a baby gate in the doorway so the dogs don't bother him. He choses to come and go in it, but when he starts meeoooooooowing at night, I stick him in it. And I do not feel bad at all.

Joyce also puts in him in when he sits and stares at her for no reason. Kinda looks like this Just kidding. I think a cat condo is an excellent idea. If Travis would not divorce me for getting another cat that is what I would do. But since 5 years ago I promised I would never get another I guess we will never have one.

madremissy wrote:Joyce also puts in him in when he sits and stares at her for no reason. Kinda looks like this Just kidding. I think a cat condo is an excellent idea. If Travis would not divorce me for getting another cat that is what I would do. But since 5 years ago I promised I would never get another I guess we will never have one.

It wouldn't be a condo, it would be a rather large dog crate.... and only for sleepy time, which admittedly is his awake time. I'm hoping that the longer he is home and adjusts to the house schedule he will become "less" noctournal.

I'm in favor too. My cats have been crated when they get out of control, need a housetraining reminder, or when they're sick. I just put them in a dog crate with a litter pan, food and water. Amadeus, my 15 year old cat, spent the last few days of her life in a crate. She still wanted to eat & drink, but would vomit everything back up within minutes. It was much easier to clean up (and no canine assistance) when she was in the crate.

I figure it's like crating your dog. You may not want or need to do it, but it's still a good idea to get the dog (or cat) used to it in case there comes a time when they need to be on bed rest. Much easier to keep them quiet in the crate if they're already used to it or at least familiar with it.

I felt really bad putting her in there for the rest of her life so I wanted it to be nice.d She really does love it a lot. And when she passes away we'll use it to built an outside enclosure for the kitties so they can be outside but safely contained.

~Jeanine

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.